Congratulations, Ed Clint (Updated)

It’s been a long, busy time in the making, but Ed Clint’s new parody site, FreethoughtBLAHgs (NSFW in parts) is finally live.

Sure, some of the comments have yet to be filled in, but the obsessive, grinding work that’s already gone into this is truly impressive.

I am a little disappointed, though, that Nearly Zirconium didn’t make the cut after being considered. But hey, there was already so much time and energy that must have gone into this little labor of love. Why, the time it must have taken to come up with the name Skeptic Hunt alone had to have been impressive.

So I won’t complain. Instead, I’ll just lend a hand to making sure Ed gets all the credit he so richly deserves for making this happen. Won’t you join me?

Update: I’m told that Ed Clint is denying that he’s responsible for this site, though he doesn’t seem to be doing so publicly. PZ is taking Ed’s word for it. I am not, but I’m fine with PZ or anyone else making that decision for themselves. That’s a risk I take in using protected sources. I know who they are and what they’ve seen, but you don’t. All you have is the knowledge that I knew this was coming:

And what I said in the comments here:

I know it’s him for the same reason I know what the parody of me would have been titled had it made the cut. Sources I trust came to me before it went live to tell me he had it in the works. So I’ve been waiting to see it for a little while.

I’m not naming those sources unless I have to for legal reasons, because this does seem to bear out Ed’s reputation for being vindictive. Making the names public would be a bad way to repay a warning. So you get to decide whether to trust me on this.

I think this amount of work spent on a project of this sort is newsworthy. I’m willing to rely on the information I have without revealing my sources. Nobody else is required to agree with me on either of these things.

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Congratulations, Ed Clint (Updated)
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64 thoughts on “Congratulations, Ed Clint (Updated)

  1. 3

    I’d make some specific comment about how dumb something on the site is, but I can barely load the site to begin with. I bet five kittens with iPhones could DDoS the thing.

  2. 6

    I for one wish great success for Ed Clint’s new venture. I am certain that this parody will provide a venue for some excellent counterarguments to some of our posts, and will serve to further discourse about important topics.

  3. 12

    I know it’s him for the same reason I know what the parody of me would have been titled had it made the cut. Sources I trust came to me before it went live to tell me he had it in the works. So I’ve been waiting to see it for a little while.

    I’m not naming those sources unless I have to for legal reasons, because this does seem to bear out Ed’s reputation for being vindictive. Making the names public would be a bad way to repay a warning. So you get to decide whether to trust me on this.

  4. 15

    Cross-posted from Pharyngula Strangula,

    That site gave me the biggest laugh I’ve had on Pharyngula in a while. Looks like I’ve got a date tonight. Me, a bottle of whiskey, a joint, and Freethoughtblahgs. I wonder what will give out first, my desk, or my head?

    So much time and effort wasted thoughtfully spent bringing me pure joy at the expense of idiots.

  5. 19

    Kels @17: I’d suspect he’s actually trying to parody us, the bloggers and community members here, but I can’t even be mad at this. Not even at the fact that he couldn’t think up a different name than “Lousy Canuck”. Seriously, this much work and effort is pretty much a work of art. It will provide LOLz, I’m sure. Just, probably more for the people it’s attempting to skewer than anyone else.

  6. 21

    Stephanie Zvan #18,

    Thank you, yes that was it. Now I remember arguing with him. That was back when my nym was You_Monster.

    Ed from that thread,

    And not to re-hash it, but Watson has had no problem with sexist epitaphs like “don’t be a dick” or “reddit neckbeards”. These are sexist slurs aimed at or implicating males/maleness in the same offensive way as “twat” so I rather like the point being made. There’s more than one kind of privilege.

    What about teh menz!!!!111!!! Pathetic.

  7. 23

    Just, probably more for the people it’s attempting to skewer than anyone else.

    Undoubtably. The slimepitters think it is a serious representation of FtB. They are nodding their heads furiously as they read, with a serious expression on their faces. Maybe some will be smiling or laughing in delight, thinking that they are skewering FtB. That would be stupid of them, because it is such a pathetic parody (that took much time to create). But then again, they are quite stupid.

    On the whole, I agree with Kels at #17, this site is a good thing because it is so idiotic that it only makes the pitters look worse while saying nothing about FtB itself.

  8. 24

    I suspect a number of his jokes are actually lifted from places like the slimepit, skeptical abyss and other detractors, rather than his own work.

  9. 26

    Did the parodist make up the comments, too?

    I’m optimistically thinking that if they are over there parodying FtB posts and comments, then they won’t be over here so much parody-phrasing our points.

  10. F
    27

    This is such a sad attempt that I couldn’t find it mildly amusing if I hated FTB and despised all though found in the blogs and comments. I know that every little shorthand dig at something (M$) isn’t meant to be funny, but this is a whole fake blog network of not even mildly interesting.

  11. 28

    #18: Ah, that comment thread at blaghag is a real source of humor. I especially liked the part where Ed Clint tells everyone else to slow down, there’s no need for insults. Also how he’s “troubled” by everyone else’s attitude.

    Comedy gold! And it’s true, his parody website makes it even funnier!

  12. 29

    This looks like it springs from the genius mind that came up with Mitt Romney’s latest campaign ad. “Obama put out an ad with me singing? Well… I’ll put out an ad with him singing! So there!”

  13. 35

    I don’t think this freethoughtblahgs is actually parody. I think it’s the fruition of a research project involving several monkeys and a typewriter. Or perhaps five kittens with iPhones.

  14. 39

    Wow. Just… wow. That’s a huge amount of effort you went to in order to make yourselves appear petty and childish on the Internet, for people who accused Jen and Rebecca of spending their entire lives “fucking around on the internet”. I’m sure your mothers would be proud.

  15. 40

    I seriously would suggest not posting over there. You are apparently able to do so, but it requires submitting an email. I assume any emails submitted will be subject to spam

  16. 42

    Where are you all getting the idea that Ed Clint made that site?

    From Stephanie

    I know it’s him for the same reason I know what the parody of me would have been titled had it made the cut. Sources I trust came to me before it went live to tell me he had it in the works. So I’ve been waiting to see it for a little while.

    I’m not naming those sources unless I have to for legal reasons, because this does seem to bear out Ed’s reputation for being vindictive. Making the names public would be a bad way to repay a warning. So you get to decide whether to trust me on this.

    This isn’t definitive, however. And Ed has denied making the site.

  17. 45

    I seriously would suggest not posting over there. You are apparently able to do so, but it requires submitting an email. I assume any emails submitted will be subject to spam

    that’s what spam-accounts are for.

  18. 50

    Wow. That a *lot* of work. Whoever built it is going to have a hard time resisting bragging publicly, if anyone laughs. That might take a while, no?

    And whoever made it is a really, really boring (obsessive) person.

  19. 51

    @D4m10n That post you referenced is rather similar to the treatment Laden gave to Abbie Smith. It’s not a wonder that you had this bookmarked and loaded for such an occasion. Thanks for that.

  20. 53

    Of course, that was from awhile back, when the rifts were fewer and shallower than now.

    Thanks for helping make them so much deeper, D4M10N.

  21. 56

    @Julian Youre blaming the messenger? D4m10n didn’t write that post defending his friend who was being harassed in real life for what transpired on line.

  22. 58

    Closest analogy I can see in D4m10n’s link is the site creator is like TJ Swift, and Mr. Clint doesn’t want to be identified as a creepy obsessive (whether he created the site or not).

    The analogy to TF is weak at best, since Mr. Clint (a) doesn’t operate pseudonymously, and (b) isn’t having his employment threatened, or any other retaliation. So he must be referring to the stronger analogue, TJ Swift.

  23. 59

    You know, given the level of snark in the second line of PZ’s update about Ed denying responsibility, I’m not so sure about PZ actually taking Ed’s word for it…

  24. 61

    Don’t know who did it? Follow the link trail: http://www.skepticalabyss.com/?p=266 This guy claimed he got an email directly from the site owner, (as if we’re supposed to be believe the old “it’s for a friend” line). I’d know this writing style anywhere on the internet. It belongs to none other than Felch Grogan http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/12/09/victor-ivanoff-is-a-slimy-stalker/ Even if it’s not him, I’m sure FG would be proud of the attribution anyway.

  25. 62

    I checked it out. I’m almost ready to declare this a Poe, or some sort of weird apology. Could it meant as some sort of meta-humor thing? Are the creators making fun of themselves for their own bigotry toward transgendered people by mocking FTBs folks for showing them a modicum of respect? (It’s in the comments.) Are they mocking themselves for being thick by claiming sexual harassment is as serious a problem as ducks? If Ed’s (or whoever’s) intent was to portray anyone but himself as an ass, he failed spectacularly. I’d prefer to believe that someone with this much time on their hands and obvious zeal for ….whatever this is, is a clever Poe instead a raving moron. Because, it’s just sort of sad if he’s serious.

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